The city's amnesty program, which allows you to skip the extra fees and pay the ticket at face value, expires on Feb. 28.

If you live in South Portland, a new law ties overdue tickets to registering your car. But thanks to this program which began about two months ago, many people have saved money while the city has made it.

South Portland resident Tim West paid seven parking tickets on Tuesday, with penalties it would have cost him $220.

"I saved about $80 with the amnesty," said West.

In South Portland, fines double if a ticket is not paid within 30 days. The amnesty program has allowed people to pay them off at face value.

"I think it's been successful," said Greg L'Heureux, finance director for the city of South Portland.

L'Heureux said during this two-month program, the city has collected about $12,000 in parking fines. That is compared to just $7,000 during the same period a year ago when there was no amnesty.

"It's an improvement and we feel it also allowed people to get caught up on the program," L'Heureux said.

But for anyone who lives in South Portland, there's another reason to pay those tickets. A new ordinance bars anyone with outstanding tickets to register a car at city hall.

L'Heureux said it's all about fairness to those who do pay their tickets and taking some of the sting out of having to comply with the city's new registration law.

"So the impact on the change in that ordinance would be a little more palatable," he said.

South Portland figures it's due just over $100,000 in unpaid parking tickets, most of those issued during the winter-long overnight parking ban.

Enticed with significant savings, people such as Tim West are happy to wipe the slate clean.

"I'm glad that they're willing to work with me . Everyone has a hard time, so it helps to have the leeway there," West said.

Anyone from South Portland who wants to fight a parking ticket but needs to get a car registered can request a hearing in court.

Also, there is a loophole to this, anyone, tickets or not, can register a car online.